School of International Hospitality and Service Innovation Announces Leadership Appointments

Carol Whitlock and Linda Underhill named department chairs

Rochester Institute of Technology professors Linda Underhill and Carol Whitlock have been appointed department chairs within the School of International Hospitality and Service Innovation, H. Fred Walker, dean of RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology, announced recently.

Whitlock will lead the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Underhill will lead the Department of Service Systems. Both served as interim department heads in those respective areas since March 2010.

In 2011, the College of Applied Science and Technology restructured and formed two schools, the School of International Hospitality and Service Innovation and the School of Engineering Technology. The structure allows for additional program development, scholarship productivity, fundraising opportunities and strategic progress, including the exploration of a third school of applied science, Walker says.

“I am truly delighted to announce these permanent appointments,” he adds. “Drs. Underhill and Whitlock share an accomplished and dedicated history at RIT. They each embody genuine commitment to support not only the success of our students, but that of their respective faculty and staffs. Their departments—and ultimately the college and university—will continue to thrive under their leadership.”

Underhill, an associate professor, served a dual role as the department’s graduate chair and health systems administration program chair. She has been teaching at RIT since 2003. Her research is in the area of prevention of obesity and diabetes in children and innovation in the delivery of health care services.

Whitlock, a professor of hospitality and tourism management, joined the RIT faculty in 1972 and, since 2005, has served as chair of the department’s undergraduate program. During her tenure, she created 19 new courses, including a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses in food product development, quality assurance and global standards of food. In 1999, Whitlock developed and taught the first online course for the American College of Management and Technology in Croatia. Whitlock was also the recipient of RIT’s prestigious Eisenhart Outstanding Teaching award.